bystanders

Definition of bystandersnext
plural of bystander
as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bystanders Demoustier stars as a penniless young woman called Suzanne working on the ‘Venus Electrificata’ sideshow of a traveling fair meting out electrifying kisses to unsuspecting paying bystanders, while secretly being charged with electricity. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 May 2026 The footage shows officers carefully opening the bathroom door before the confused bear casually strolls out and heads down the sidewalk to freedom while officers and bystanders scatter out of the way. Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026 Police did not say whether the other two victims were bystanders. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026 Faced with innocent bystanders being hurt — even killed — during the chases, some agencies have at times called off pursuits in the interest of safety. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 These should include more extensive consideration of bystanders. Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 May 2026 The impact also shattered glass in the area, injuring several additional bystanders, the outlet reported. Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026 This marked the first appearance of an embodied AI robot at a Met Gala pre-event, attracting significant attention from media, designers, and bystanders. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026 Jennifer Moriarty said officers grabbed her by the neck, shoved her in a vehicle, and then got angry at other bystanders. Lauren Victory, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
  • The Newtown Square club has been preparing for months for the event, which is expected to attract 200,000 spectators and bring a significant economic boost to the region.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 May 2026
  • Coffeehouses lined the avenue, and Si-o-Se Pol provided seating for royal spectators at boat races and other events hosted on the river.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Many observers have argued in retrospect that blocking the merger was a mistake.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Still, royal observers have noted that any move to formally alter Andrew’s place in the succession could force officials to revisit legal principles for the first time in nearly 90 years.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The TikTok video shows the tenders total 1,640 calories, prompting strong reactions from viewers and questions about how the number could be so high.
    Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
  • Suddenly, big audiences are harder to come by, and advertisers instead must work harder to persuade individual viewers during personal binge sessions.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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